Farmers of Gujarat might soon reap the profits of growing indigenous medicinal plants in their fields by tying up with big pharmaceutical industries of the state.

Under the horticulture mission, the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) and the Gandhinagar horticulture department are preparing an action plan on how to grow medicinal plants in Gujarat. Along with it, they will also meet pharmaceutical industries and experts to increase the quality of medicinal herbs.

State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) Chief Executive Officer S N Tyagi told Newsline: “The medicinal herbs have a good potential, but NMPB cannot directly approach the farmers. The Horticulture Department is in constant touch with them.”

He added: “We have taken up the task of meeting the district horticulture director one by one. NMPB has an estimate of Rs 600 crore for India under the Horticulture mission. The Gandhinagar Horticulture Department will get Rs 7 crore by October this year. This year, NMPB can give at least Rs 50 crore for the medicinal herbs."

Tyagi, who is one of the members in the committee that sanctions funds for the horticulture mission, said: “We might meet experts from the Horticulture Department from other districts as well. The Gandhinagar Horticulture Department’s proposal has been already accepted. The funds will be released in 15 days.”

Recently, NMPB Chief Executive Officer S B Sajwan met Horticulture Department experts to discuss about this project and target.

He added: “Some indigenous plants such as googul are included in the plan, but we are yet to meet the experts for maintaining value addition and quality. A series of meetings will be held with the pharmaceutical companies.”